Tom was born in Moline, Illinois, and lived in La Salle and Monroe, Michigan, as well as New London, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Monroe High School where he was an outstanding athlete in swimming, football, and track.
Tom was married for 52 years to his beloved wife and best friend, Kathryn. He is survived by his wife, and three sons: Todd (Carrie) of Rochester, Michigan, Michael (Erika) of Clarkston, Michigan, and Christopher (Rachael) of Melbourne, Australia. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Tyler, Evan, Cole, Hanna, Jackson, and Emerson. In addition, he is survived by his brother, Terry (Barb), of Birch Run, Michigan, and several nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Quinn and Louise Magerkurth Pardon and his brothers, Ted (Priscella) and Tim (Marilyn).
Tom served in the U.S. Air Force and worked for 40 years for the General Motors Corporation as a Dimensional Engineer. He worked at the Wilmington, Delaware, and Baltimore, Maryland, plants and in the Central Office located in Warren, Michigan. His work included travelling to long and short term assignments in many GM plants in the course of his career.
Tom was known for his love of his family, friendliness, storytelling abilities, and hard work. His favorite stories were about growing up with three adventurous brothers. He also was proud of the fact that his grandfather, George Magerkurth, was a major league baseball umpire and was behind home plate when Babe Ruth hit his “called shot” in the 1932 World Series.
Tom’s interests included woodworking, clock making, house projects, camping, family vacations, and travel. He loved cars, airplanes, and attention to detail. He was a self-proclaimed “tinkerer.”
Tom was a member of New London Lodge #545 and The Good Sam Club. He participated in service projects with the Avon Grove Lions Club, athletic departments in the Rochester Community Schools, and at churches he and his family attended.
Tom was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Rochester, Michigan.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Bloomfield Hills DaVita staff and all the Crittenton Hospital doctors, respiratory therapists, cardiac/pulmonary rehab staff, and extended medical personnel for the expertise and TLC given to Tom during the course of his medical journey.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, at the Pixley Funeral Home, 322 West University Drive, Rochester, Michigan.
A visitation will also be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service on Friday, April 27, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 620 Romeo Road, Rochester, Michigan.
Interment will be on Tuesday, May 1, at 9:00 a.m. in the Great Lakes National Cemetery on 4200 Belford Road in Holly, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association.
To leave an online condolence to the family please visit www.pixleyfuneral.com.
